Uladzimir Makei: Belarusians have no problems with travelling to EU

Belarus is in the first position as regards the number of Schengen visas given per one thousand people, the Minister said.

The issue of abolishment of the visa regime with the EU will be solved in the future and the interests of citizens from both sides will be taken into account, Belarusian Minister for Foreign Affairs Uladzimir Makei hopes. He responded to Polish Ambassador to Belarus Leszek Szerepka’s offer to cancel the visa regime this way.

Makei: The situation is paradoxical. Belarus suggested simplifying the visa regime with the EU back in 2004. But The EU kept refusing us until 2011. When they imposed sanctions, the EU suddenly changed its mind. The offer did not seem serious at that moment. I am hoping that the problem will be solved in the future and the interests of citizens from both sides will be taken into account. On the other hand, travelling to the EU is not a problem now as Belarus is in the first position as regards the number for Schengen visas given per one thousand people.

Poland would like to establish mutual visa-free regime to Belarus, Polish Ambassador to Belarus Leszek Szerepka said on November 14.

"We support the idea of maximum simplification of the visa regime and even a visa-free regime. We would like to abolish the visa regime with Belarus," interfax.by quotes the Polish diplomat.

Certain steps have to be made by Belarus for it, the ambassador said. Szerepka hopes that the two states will be able to organize consultations concerning this issue.

Poland gave about 350 Schengen visas to Belarusians last year and the number will reach 360 thousands this year, he said.